Pope against war industry

Pope Francis reminds US that the arms trade is the “industry of death” and more stories on peace.
“Being at the service of dialogue and peace also means being truly determined to minimize and, in the long term, to end the many armed conflicts throughout our world,” the pope said. Then he asked the critical question: “Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society?”

He answered it himself: “Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade.”

Stop the arms trade. What a simple, clear call.

That means the ending things like the $60 billion arms deal the U.S. made a few years back with Saudi Arabia, where those weapons are, in the pope’s words, “inflicting untold suffering on individuals and society,” especially in Syria and Yemen.

It means ending things like the $45 billion in new military aid — mostly in the form of advanced new weapons — the Israeli government has requested from Washington between now and 2028.

It means ending the provision of new arms to scores of unaccountable militias in Syria, where even the White House admits a non-military solution is needed. And it means ending things like the $1.1 billion in arms sales the United States has made to Mexico this year alone.

And, of course, it means no longer diverting at least 54 cents of every discretionary taxpayer dollar in the federal budget to the U.S. military.

Actually, members of Congress — so many of whom rely on huge campaign donations from arms manufacturers, and so many of whom refuse to vote against military procurement because often just a few dozen jobs connected to it might be in their district — really should have expected the pope to say exactly what he did.

Eisenhower on weapons

Pope Francis told a group of schoolchildren visiting the Vatican that the arms trade is the “industry of death.” When a kid asked why so many powerful people don’t want peace, the pope answered simply, “because they live off wars!” Francis explained how people become rich by producing and selling weapons. “And this is why so many people do not want peace. They make more money with the war!”

Today is the United Nations’ International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Our campaign has made great progress the last few years, and there are some exciting prospects to start negotiations for a treaty banning nuclear weapons at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

On Monday heads of state will be speaking at the UN General Assembly. So today – on Nuclear Abolition Day – let’s make sure they know we want them to support negotiations for a treaty banning nuclear weapons. Send an email to Julie Bishop

http://goodbyenuk.es/#write-to-your-fm
The Graham F Smith Peace Foundation
invites you to the Fundraising Peace Dinner with the Governor of South Australia His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AO on the 23 October, 2015 The successful recipient of the $10,000 grant will be announced at the Peace Dinner
WHEN: Friday 23 October 2015
WHERE: Star Room, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Corner of Port Road and Adam Street, Hindmarsh SA
TIME: 7pm for 7.30pm.
TICKETS: $120 per head (includes dinner , entertainment and drinks) or table of 10 for $1100 (Save $100).
Support the ARTS Peace Foundation http://artspeacefoundation.org